wills

The recent case of Morton v Morton and another [2022] EWHC 163 (Ch) demonstrates the potential disputes that can arise between farming families when determining who benefits from the estate of a deceased family member. In Morton, a dispute arose between two siblings, Julie Morton (“Julie”) and her brother, Simon Morton (“Simon”), as to the […]

In this webinar a panel of experts discuss how working together as a team they can help you organise your wealth to ensure you enjoy your retirement years, leave your family a financial gift and leave a donation to charity in your Will, if that’s what you’d like to do. Filmed at the beautiful Attenborough […]

In a world where self-isolation, social distancing and lockdown are all now very familiar words to us all it was only in the Spring of 2020 that private client practitioners were debating whether or not witnesses of a will had to be physically present when a testator signed their will in order for it to […]

Today (2nd November 2020) marks the first day of a new system of mandatory online applications for grants of probates by professional users, which the Government promises will be “simpler, quicker and more reliable”. Under the new rules, legal professionals in England and Wales must now use the online system in the majority of grant […]

Litigation friends are required when a person lacks capacity to participate in court proceedings.  That will be because that person is (a) a child [under the age of 18] or (b) lacks the mental capacity to be involved with or without a solicitor [known as a protected party]. Litigation friends are often a parent, family […]

Wills are made by individuals every day to set out their wishes for their affairs and assets in the event of their death.  We are all familiar with the meaning of a will, and the common movie trope of a family crowding into a lawyer’s office for a controversial ‘will reading’ (that doesn’t happen, by […]

In a recent dispute between sisters over their mother’s last will  (Coles v Reynolds & Anor ECHW 2151  (Ch)) the court held that the deceased i) had knowledge and approval of her will; and ii) was not unduly influenced into favouring one daughter over the other. The deceased had made a will on 23 May […]

The current restrictions imposed on the UK due to COVID-19 have been challenging for most. For some people, their mental health has been severely impacted by loneliness, lack of structure, financial pressures and fears of what the future may bring. Also, the constant overflow of negative press on COVID—19 is causing immense stress and anxiety […]

I go for a my morning walk every day now as part of a new routine I created during “lockdown”. I’m amazed by how many people have pets – I see dogs out for a walk with their owners, cats going into their houses and many horse-riders on the roads. Having had pets, I understand […]

The uncertainty caused by COVID-19 has left many of us thinking about our affairs. This firm’s family wealth team has recently seen an increase in demand for Wills. As a result, we have received an increased number of queries relating to Wills. This article highlights some of the most common misconceptions about Wills, and outlines […]